Outreach Programme-cum-Incentive Distribution for Cattle Rearers Organised at Salapi, Zanskar Under ICAR Tribal Sub-Plan.

Outreach Programme-cum-Incentive Distribution for Cattle Rearers Organised at Salapi, Zanskar Under ICAR Tribal Sub-Plan.
Zanskar, June 15, 2026: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening livestock-based livelihoods and promoting scientific cattle rearing practices in the remote tribal areas of Ladakh, the Animal Husbandry Department, UT Ladakh, in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle (ICAR-CIRC), Meerut, organized an Outreach Programme-cum-Incentive Distribution for Cattle Rearers of UT Ladakh under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) at Salapi village in Zanskar on Monday.
The programme was attended by a large number of livestock rearers, farmers, field functionaries and local stakeholders from different parts of Zanskar Valley.
The event was graced by Shri Omkar Gundage, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Zanskar, as the Chief Guest.dignitaries present on the occasion included Dr. Mohd Ismail, Director Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, UT Ladakh; Dr. Iftikhar Hussain, Director Sheep Husbandry, UT Ladakh; Mr. Mohd Hassan, SDM Zanskar; Dr. Naresh Prasad, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIRC Meerut; Dr. Gulzar Hussain, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Kargil; Dr. Ghulam Mohammad, Deputy Director Farms ; Dr. Mohd Ashraf, Manager, Cattle Breeding Farm Kurbathang; Dr. Siraj Din, Block Veterinary Officer Sankoo; Dr. Mohd Anwar, Manager, Yak Breeding Farm Bodh Kharboo; Dr. Ashiq Hussain, Livestock Development Officer Zanskar, besides officers and officials of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Gulzar Hussain, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Kargil, who welcomed the distinguished guests, scientists, officers and livestock rearers and highlighted the importance of such outreach programmes in bridging the gap between scientific institutions and farming communities. He emphasized the department’s continued efforts towards improving livestock productivity, disease control, breed improvement and livelihood enhancement in the far-flung areas of Zanskar.
An awareness session was subsequently conducted by Dr. Ghulam Mohammad, Deputy Director Farms, who sensitized livestock rearers about the major livestock diseases prevalent in the region, the importance of timely vaccination, biosecurity measures, scientific feeding practices and preventive healthcare. He also highlighted the public health significance of zoonotic diseases and stressed the need for close cooperation between livestock owners and veterinary institutions in safeguarding both animal and human health.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mohd Ismail, Director Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, UT Ladakh, underscored the critical role of the livestock sector in ensuring livelihood security and economic resilience in the cold arid region of Ladakh. He reiterated the department’s commitment towards expanding veterinary healthcare services, strengthening breeding programmes, improving fodder resources and promoting scientific livestock management practices through sustained field interventions.
Dr. Iftikhar Hussain, Director Sheep Husbandry, UT Ladakh, emphasized the importance of adopting modern animal husbandry practices and highlighted the need for integrated development of the livestock sector to enhance productivity, improve household incomes and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
In his keynote address, Shri Omkar Gundage, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Zanskar, appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Animal Husbandry Department and ICAR-CIRC in bringing scientific knowledge and developmental interventions directly to livestock rearers in remote tribal areas. He encouraged farmers to actively participate in government programmes and make optimum use of the technical guidance and support available through the departments. The Deputy Commissioner also commended the Animal Husbandry Department for its dedicated efforts during the outbreak of Canine Distemper in April 2026, acknowledging the prompt response and field-level actions undertaken to mitigate the impact of the disease.
As part of the programme, incentives including livestock feed for 170 beneficiaries and 50 milk churners were distributed among selected cattle rearers. The support is expected to strengthen dairy-based livelihood activities, improve milk handling practices and encourage scientific cattle rearing among beneficiaries.
Following the programme, the visiting officers undertook extensive field inspections of various Livestock Development Centres (LDCs) and veterinary institutions across Zanskar to review service delivery mechanisms, assess infrastructure requirements and monitor the implementation of ongoing livestock development initiatives. The team also visited a progressive farmer’s Omasilla cheese-making unit,Ating village where they interacted with the entrepreneur and appreciated the efforts being made towards value addition of milk and promotion of locally produced dairy products. The officers observed that such initiatives have immense potential for generating additional income and creating rural employment opportunities in the region.
As part of the ongoing tour, the officers also inspected several important infrastructure projects being developed under the Animal Husbandry Department, including the newly constructed Veterinary Hospital at Zanskar, the Manager’s Quarters at the Equine Breeding Farm (EBF), Zanskar, and the Veterinary Dispensary being established under the Special Development Package (SDP) at EBF Zanskar. The visiting officers reviewed the progress of these works and emphasized the need for their timely completion and operationalization. Once functional, these facilities are expected to significantly strengthen veterinary healthcare delivery, improve staff accommodation facilities, enhance institutional capacity and provide better access to quality veterinary services for livestock rearers across the region.
Later in the evening, a Joint Review Meeting of the Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry Departments was convened, attended by officers and field staff from both departments. The meeting reviewed the status of ongoing developmental programmes, veterinary healthcare delivery, disease control measures, breeding initiatives, infrastructure development projects and field-level challenges. Detailed deliberations were held on strategies for improving service delivery, strengthening inter-departmental coordination and accelerating the implementation of key livestock development programmes in Zanskar.
The programme forms part of an extensive seven-day joint departmental tour of Zanskar District being undertaken by Dr. Mohd Ismail, Director Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, UT Ladakh, and Dr. Iftikhar Hussain, Director Sheep Husbandry, UT Ladakh, accompanied by Dr. Gulzar Hussain, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Kargil; Dr. Ghulam Mohammad, Deputy Director Farms; and other senior officers of both departments. Commencing on 14 June 2026, the tour is currently underway and includes visits to veterinary institutions, breeding farms, livestock development centres, infrastructure projects and interactions with livestock rearers across the district.
The ongoing tour reflects the steadfast commitment of the Government of UT Ladakh towards strengthening livestock-based livelihoods, expanding veterinary infrastructure, improving service delivery mechanisms and ensuring the effective implementation of developmental programmes in the remote and tribal regions of Zanskar.